Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Report into the death of Paul Whitters

Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has paid tribute the family of Paul Whitters who was killed by a plastic bullet in April 1981.

Mr McCartney said,

"Paul Whitters was killed by the RUC in April 1981 but it has taken to now for a competent investigation into his killing. Throughout this time the family of Paul Whitters have remained dignified in their search for the truth and I would I like to pay tribute to them for this resilience and decorum.

"It has emerged from the investigation by the Police Ombudsman Office that Paul's killing was never properly investigated and I am extremely concerned that retired officers refused to cooperate with the inquiry. Paul case like the other victims of plastic bullets was swept aside by the state.

"The report today vindicates the family and campaigning groups who stated that Paul posed no threat and should never have been shot. Hopefully this report today will give the Whitters family some closure and allow them to move on.

"Sinn Féin will continue to support the families of those killed by plastic bullets and will campaign for the complete removal of these deadly weapons from our streets." ENDS